Over 235 agricultural extension models in cultivation across an area of nearly 5,000 ha with many key crops such as rice, corn, pineapple, pear, passion fruit, orange, coffee, and vegetables have been deployed province-wide over the past four years. More than 27,000 turns of residents directly participated in the models, gaining access to new scientific and technological advances in production. Through guidance, training, and technical transfer activities, multiple advanced cultivation methods have been widely applied, bringing clear efficiency.

Models applying biological products on fruit trees and rice toward organic practices have helped residents reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers by 20% to 30%. Biological products for stubble treatment contribute to improving soil fertility and balancing pH levels, while pest control biological products achieve an efficiency of 60% to 80%, step-by-step replacing chemical plant protection drugs.

Following a period of deploying the Project on building a pineapple production model toward VietGAP standards in Na Sang commune, a concentrated production zone linked with stable product consumption has been formed, generating a powerful transformation in the production mindset of local residents.

Standing amid the pineapple hill during harvest season, Giàng A Chu recalled that previously, his family primarily cultivated pineapples based on experience, and crop care and fertilizer application were not technically correct, resulting in low yields and uneven fruit quality. Since participating in the model, he has been directly guided by extension cadres on intensive cultivation measures and care techniques according to VietGAP standards, extending the harvest period from June until February or March of the following year. The pineapples feature an attractive appearance, a deep sweet taste, an average weight of 0.8 to 1 kg per fruit, and a productivity reaching around 45 tons/ha.

Notably, applying the technique to adjust the off-season fruiting timing has limited simultaneous harvesting, reducing consumption pressure during peak season while satisfying continuous market supply demands.

Over the past years, agricultural extension models have not only brought immediate economic efficiency but also contributed to altering the awareness of residents across Điện Biên province. Shifting from customary production heavily reliant on experience, many households have step-by-step transitioned to production following technical workflows, prioritizing product quality and market connectivity. Following the success of each model, the role of the agricultural extension team is increasingly affirmed. Beyond providing technical guidance, extension cadres directly disseminate, train, and educate at the grassroots-level, mobilizing and helping residents alter production mindsets and boldly apply scientific and technological advances to reality.

On June 4, the Na Sang commune General Service Center organized two technical training classes on cultivating Đài Thơm 8 rice toward organic practices for 151 households in Hồ Chim 1 and Hồ Chim 2 villages.

At the training class in Hồ Chim 2 village, Nguyễn Thị Thảo, an extension worker from the center, directly guided residents on variety characteristics, sowing and planting workflows, crop care, and pest prevention. According to Nguyễn Thị Thảo, previously, villagers primarily utilized local rice varieties that had degraded after many years of cultivation, leading to low yields and poor pest resistance. The Đài Thơm 8 variety selected for production possesses multiple advantages such as strong tillering, upright leaves, stiff stalks, and low lodging, making it suitable for intensive cultivation and relatively resilient against major pests and diseases.

What excites extension workers is that on the first day of the class, all summoned households were fully present. The proactive participation of residents demonstrates that awareness regarding the role of science and technology in agricultural production is being increasingly elevated.

Practical implementation shows that wherever the extension team operates effectively, the transfer of science and technology is executed faster, residents are more daring to change production methods, and economic models demonstrate clearer efficiency. Alongside deploying production models and organizing training activities, the grassroots-level extension team has actively participated in coffee and macadamia development plans and the construction of low-altitude economic spaces across the province. Extension cadres visit each village directly to guide residents in digging pits, applying basal fertilizer, selecting varieties, and caring for crops according to technical workflows, contributing to ensuring the progress and quality of the province’s key crop development programs.

Promoting the role of the extension system, from now until 2030, Điện Biên province will deploy extension models focusing on key crops with a total budget of over VND 60 billion covering a scale of around 316 ha. According to the provincial plan, commune People’s Committees will proactively allocate around VND 1.5 billion annually to execute local extension activities, ranging from information dissemination, training, and education to building and replicating effective production models.

In 2026 alone, the province continues to implement eight transitional demonstration models, including pears (Tìa Dình commune); coffee (Pu Nhi, Nà Bủng, Na Son, Xa Dung, Mường Pồn, Mường Nhà, Na Sang, Nà Hỳ...); and passion fruit (Điện Biên Phủ ward, Núa Ngam commune), while deploying three new fruit tree models with a total budget of around VND 6.4 billion.

The extension force is step-by-step contributing to shifting the agricultural structure toward upgrading added value and sustainable development, shaping changes from awareness to action among the public, converting technical advances into concrete production efficiency, and opening new development paths for Điện Biên’s agriculture.